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Coaching Tree Grows
October 14 2002
By Bryan Hersh of 49ers Paradise
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Mike Holmgren’s coaching tree has grown to six head coaches in the NFL. His disciples include Steve Mariucci, the 49ers head coach. Today, Mariucci will face his mentor for the first time in Seattle, the two coaches have stated that they know each other so well, the game won’t so much be a constant guessing game, but rather a set of calculated attacks on both sides of the ball.

Of Holmgreng’s coaching tree, Mariucci has more experience than any other coach. The tree that includes, John Gruden, Dick Jauron, Marty Mornhinweg (who coincidentally is also a Mariucci disciple), Andy Reid and Mike Sherman, is one of the largest currently in the NFL.

Steve Mariucci actually has more wins, than Holmgren since the two have gone their separate paths. Mariucci has 50, while Holmgren has 49. Actually Mariucci has more wins than any other coach from the Holmgren tree. He also boasts the second best winning percentage at .595% compared to John Gruden’s .609% heading into this season.

Much of Mariucci’s success has come through his preaching of protecting the football. Through 84 regular season games under Mariucci, the 49ers have averaged only 1.47 turnovers per game. That number is lower than any coach ever.

When the two coaches clash later today, it’s bound to be a great game. They have a mutual respect for one another, and both teams are confident they can stop the oppositions attack. How well the two can predict each others tendencies will play a big role in determining the victor of tonight’s game.